Circular weaving maschine and method for producing a hollow profile-like fabric

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a circular weaving machine for weaving a weaving core (1), comprising at least one shuttle (5) which has a weft yarn bobbin (7) and can be moved along a circular continuous track around the weaving core (1), and warp coil devices (10), each of which having a warp yarn bobbin (11). According to the invention, the warp coil devices (10) are designed to be movable, the travel path of the warp coil devices (10) with the warp yarn bobbin (11) extending through a weaving plane (6) enclosed by the circular continuous track (2, 23).

The invention relates to a circular weaving machine for weaving aweaving core, comprising at least one shuttle which has a weft spool andcan be moved along a circular continuous track around the weaving core,and warp coil devices, each of which having a warp yarn bobbin.

The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of a hollowprofile-like fabric with a circular weaving machine of the typementioned.

The known circular weaving machines and weaving processes on circularweaving machines are generally used for the production of tubulartextile fabrics for fire hoses, water hoses, sacks etc.

A circular weaving machine of this type is known from publication EP0080453 A2. Several shuttle rollers roll on an upper and lower racewayalong a circular continuous track, each with a weft yarn bobbin (weftbobbin), which guides the weft in a circular continuous track around theweaving core. The shuttles are driven by a motor-driven rotor with driverollers. Warp coil devices are arranged concentrically around therunning rings, each of which feed one warp yarn through several yarnguides from a warp yarn bobbin (warp bobbin) via a tensioning device anda shed guide between the upper and lower running rings to the weavingcore. To form the fabric on the weaving core, the shuttles pass betweenthe alternately fanned warp yarns, with the shuttles' rollers runningover the warp yarns at the bottom. The fabric produced is continuouslypulled off the weaving core to form an endless fabric tube.

The multiple deflections and rolling over of the warp yarns create aconsiderable load on the warp yarns, which leads to a high wear of thewarp yarns.

Particularly sensitive yarns, such as carbon fibers, are unsuitable forprocessing on circular weaving machines because of this risk of damage.This largely prevents the use of the known circular weaving machines forthe production of fiber preforms for fiber composite products.

The multiple deflections required of the warp yarns also prevent highyarn tension, whereby the load on the warp yarns by the shed guide alsoleads to uneven yarn tension in the fabric. In this respect, the fabriccannot be pressed firmly against the contour of the weaving core, whichis quite practicable for the usual continuous removal of an endlessfabric tube from the stationary weaving core. However, the knowncircular weaving machines are unsuitable for weaving a weaving core witha fixed fabric, especially for weaving a weaving core with a variablecore contour. In this respect, the known circular weaving machinescannot be used to produce hollow-profile products such as rims, tubesand shafts with unequal diameters in their finished geometry.

The circular weaving machine known from publication FR 2339009 A1, thewarp yarns are fed via warp yarn bobbins and yarn guide tubes withtilting bearings, whereby these cross the running grooves for thecirculation of the shuttle. The running grooves are interrupted by slotsalong which the yarn guide tubes occupy their changing positions. Thisembodiment avoids warp yarns from rolling over and warp yarn shedding,which reduces yarn wear. However, the swivelling of the yarn guidetubes, in which the warp yarn rubs against the inner wall of the tube,again leads more than minor yarn wear. In addition, when the yarn guidetubes are pivoted in a circular arc, the yarn tension in the weavingpoint decreases significantly, which, in addition to a very loosefabric, can lead to an unclean weaving pattern with bevelled edges. Thejarring circulation of the shuttles over the slots additionally leads tovibrations and yarn tension fluctuations.

The applicability of this known circular weaving machine is thereforejust as disadvantageously limited.

The invention is based on the object of providing a circular weavingmachine and a process for producing a hollow-profile fabric whichextends the applicability of the known circular weaving machine and inparticular enables greater variability of the fabric structures andpatterns that can be produced and the contoured weaving of a weavingcore with variable geometry.

In order to solve the problem, a circular weaving machine is envisagedin accordance with the invention, in which the warp coil devices aredesigned to be movable, whereby the travel track of the warp coildevices travels through a weaving plane enclosed by the circularcontinuous track with the warp yarn bobbin.

One or more shuttle(s) move with their weft yarn bobbins along acircular continuous track that may, for example be mechanically orelectromagnetically formed, which determines the conveying or guidingline for concentric conveying or guiding of the shuttle around theweaving core.

The shuttle(s) may be actively moved along the path, whereby the path isformed as a guide track, or the shuttle(s) may be conveyed passivelyalong the path, whereby the path comprises a conveyor track.

The weaving plane which can be used to pass through the warp coildevices or the warp yarn bobbins is essentially radially limited by thegeometrically determined, circular continuous track for conveying orguiding the shuttle and is further determined by the course of the weftyarn in the shuttle.

In the case of a deflection-free course for the weft yarn in the shuttlerotating along the circular continuous track, the weaving planedescribes a circular disc which is enclosed by the circular continuoustrack and in which the weft yarn runs.

The circular continuous track is preferably arranged radially(perpendicular to the weaving axis) relative to the weaving axis of theweaving core, which gives the circular loom an especially narrow design.

For certain applications of the weaving machine, however, it may beadvantageous to arrange the circular continuous track quasi-radially (atan angle not equal to 90° to the weaving axis). Accordingly, the weavingplane thus formed can be oriented both perpendicular to the weaving axisand quasi-radial (at an angle not equal to 90° to the weaving axis).

In some cases, the weft yarn in the shuttle may be deflected within thecircular continuous track. In this case, the weaving plane enclosed bythe circular continuous track that is determined by the course of theweft yarn, deviates from a flat, circular-disc shape. The weaving planeis then deflected according to the weft deflection.

The warp coil devices with the warp yarn bobbins are preferably locatedin the immediate vicinity of the weaving plane, in particular sidewardof the weaving plane, in order to be able to move the warp coil devicesor the warp yarn bobbins repeatedly back and forth through the weavingplane in short distances and with little effort, whereas the passage ofthe shuttle is ensured by means of the turning position of the warp coildevices and/or of the warp yarn bobbins.

The warp yarns can be spread alternately in opposite directions bychanging the position of the warp yarn bobbins so that warp yarnshedding occurs, whereby the warp yarns are undulated with the weft yarnpassing through the warp yarn shedding, which is drawn off from the weftyarn bobbin of the shuttle carried along the path.

A wide variety of weaving patterns may be created depending on thesequence and the operating cycles in which the warp bobbins changeposition.

By means of the direct lateral mobility of the warp coil devices or thewarp bobbins through the weaving plane enclosed by the path, it ispossible for the warp yarns to cross the feed or guide track of theshuttle without making contact. The feed or guide track of the shuttleis free of transverse warp yarns and does not require any recesses foryarn guides. As a result of the uninterrupted, homogeneous conveyor orguide track, the shuttle can circulate very quickly and with a lowvibration level, while maintaining high weft yarn tension.

The warp yarns are fed directly via a short path, and without deflectionas far as possible, to the weaving point at which the warp yarns arewoven (undulated) with the weft yarns on the surface of the weavingcore, which considerably reduces the yarn abrasion of the warp yarns andenables high yarn tension.

The lateral spreading of the warp yarns can be influenced by variablypositioning the warp yarn bobbins in relation to the weaving plane andcan be further optimized in such a way that, by creating a through-pathfor the shuttle, the angle of the warp yarns to the weaving plane is asflat as possible (weaving angle), so that the yarn tension of the warpyarns remains largely constant when the warp yarn bobbins changeposition.

The geometric design of the circular weaving machine in accordance withthe invention makes it possible in particular to provide a largediameter for the circular continuous track for conveying or guiding theshuttle in relation to the positioning track for the warp coil device orthe warp bobbins, whereby a very small angle of the warp yarn guide inrelation to the weaving plane (weaving angle) can be realized therebyensuring a particularly pronounced homogeneity in yarn tension.

As a result, a tightly woven fabric of high weaving quality can beproduced at a very high circulation speed under a high yarn tension forthe weft yarns and warp yarns and without damage to the yarn.

Furthermore, the operation of the circular weaving machine in accordancewith the invention is rendered more efficient.

Due to the feasibility of high weft and warp tension, the circularweaving machine in accordance with the invention is particularlysuitable for weaving cores with variable cross-sectional geometry inaxial extension, since the tightly woven yarns can rest true to contouragainst a changing weaving core contour. For weaving a contoured weavingcore with a fixed, stationary fabric, the weaving core is moved in thedirection of its axis of rotation (weaving core axis) or along thecongruent weaving axis of the circular weaving machine in order to beable to move the complete contour of the weaving core. The weaving pointat which the warp yarns are woven with the weft yarns on the surface ofthe weaving core moves along the longitudinal axis of the weaving core.

Due to the careful guidance of the weft yarns and warp yarns, a widevariety of yarn, ribbon or fiber materials in different fiberthicknesses can be used as weft yarns or warp yarns, such as sensitivecarbon fibers, but also wide flat ribbons or other textile strands. Thewarp and weft bobbins used can also be equipped with different yarn,tape or fiber materials in different fiber thicknesses.

Last but not least, the circular weaving machine in accordance with theinvention is suitable for the production of hollow-profile fabricpreforms from fibers for further processing into fiber compositeproducts, e.g. for the production of woven preforms for wheel rims madeof fiber composite material.

The compact, concentric design of the circular weaving machine offersgenerous access to the weaving plane and the weaving core on both sides,so that the weaving cores can be inserted or removed from both sidesinto the circular weaving machine by mechanical means, such as handlingrobots. The free space provided by the concentric design also makes itpossible to use weaving cores with particularly large diameters.

In an advantageous embodiment of the weaving machine in accordance withthe invention, several circular continuous tracks (conveying and/orguiding tracks) can be used, along each of which one or more shuttlesare conveyed or guided and which each comprise a weaving plane throughwhich the warp yarn bobbins pass alternately and iteratively. Combinedcircular continuous tracks enable parallel operation of several shuttleswith different directions and cycles of rotation and different yarn,tape or fiber materials, allowing a multitude of different weft yarns tobe processed simultaneously and creating an even greater variety ofpossible weaving patterns and fabric properties.

The circular continuous tracks for conveying or guiding the shuttles(conveyor or guide tracks) can preferably be arranged parallel to eachother, but also aligned in different directions. In particular, bothradially oriented weaving planes and quasi-radially oriented weavingplanes can be combined with respect to the weaving axis.

Additional weaving planes with and without distortions can be combinedif a combination of circular continuous tracks with integrateddeflections is provided.

Based on an additional advantageous embodiment of the circular weavingmachine, the circular continuous track for guiding the shuttle(s) isformed by an annular guide track (guide track) in or on which at leastone shuttle is guided.

In this case, the shuttle or shuttles run by means of a rolling orsliding element in or on an annular guide track (guide track) whichdefines the circular continuous track along which the shuttle(s)circulate, the warp coil devices or warp yarn bobbins move through theweaving plane before or after the shuttle has passed through the weavingplane which is radially enclosed by the interior of the annular guidetrack and formed by the course of the weft yarns within the annularguide track.

In this embodiment, the warp yarns are alternately split-off by thechange of position of the warp coil devices or the warp yarn bobbins onboth sides of the weaving plane, without influencing the path of theguide track or the passage of the shuttles in any way.

The warp yarn bobbins can preferably cross the weaving plane near theradial inner boundary of the annular guide track which limits theweaving plane in it radial extension.

The guide track can, for example, be designed as an internal rotor trackin which the shuttle(s) circulate within the circular continuous trackradially bounded by the guide track and thus within the weaving plane.The guide track can also be designed as an external rotor track in whichthe shuttle(s) rotate outside the circular continuous track radiallybounded by the guide track and thus outside the weaving plane. Anembodiment in which the shuttle(s) are integrated within the guide trackand thus do not circulate in the weaving plane is also conceivable.

In all cases, the guide tracks offer a continuous, uninterrupted runway,which enables the shuttles to circulate without vibration with uniformlyhigh yarn tension, thus achieving homogeneous weaving operation at ahigh weaving speed.

If the guide track is designed as an external slide track in which therotating shuttle moves outside the circular continuous track and theweaving plane, the weaving plane is passed through only by the weft yarnof the weft yarn bobbin, so that the warp coil devices including thewarp yarn bobbins can be placed closer to the weaving plane. This makesthe circular weaving machine even more compact. On the other hand, themaximum weaving angle for the warp yarns to the weaving plane becomeseven smaller, thus further improving the homogeneity of yarn tension.Finally, the transfer paths of the warp yarn bobbins are also made evenshorter, resulting in higher weaving speeds.

The guide track has the advantage of comprising multiple sub-tracks.

In this case, a shuttle is guided along its circular continuous track(guide track) by a multi-part guide track, consisting of two or moresub-tracks thereby improving guidance of the shuttle and thus permittingthe shuttle to travel largely free of vibration and noise. The spacesbetween the spaced tracks allow, for example, the weft yarn to passthrough an external-rotor guide track or, for example, access for theshuttle drive.

Based on one advantageous embodiment, the shuttle(s) is/are each drivenby a direct drive and thus individually. The shuttles rotating in or onthe guide track (guide track) can be individually controlled to formspecially desired weaving patterns and thus run independently of oneanother and temporarily at different speeds and directions or may bestopped temporarily.

Alternatively, the shuttle, preferably several shuttles, can be drivenindividually or together by means of a rotatably mounted, drivencarrier. With this type of drive, the shuttles running along the guidetrack (guide track) can be driven by various carrier elements of thecarrier. This allows several shuttles to circulate simultaneously and ata constant distance from each other, which minimizes the design effortand space required for the shuttle drive compared to the direct drive.The carrier can be designed as a ring-shaped carrier ring.

Based on an alternative advantageous embodiment of the circular weavingmachine in accordance with the invention, the circular continuous trackfor guiding the shuttle(s) is formed by an annular rotor (conveyorpath), preferably mounted rotatably on the machine frame, to which atleast one shuttle is attached and can thus be conveyed with the rotor.

In this embodiment, one or more shuttles attached to the annular rotor(rotor ring) are conveyed along a common circular continuous trackdetermined by the rotor ring. Unlike the embodiment with a guide track,the shuttles are not actively guided along the path (guide track) butare conveyed passively in fixed connection with the path (conveyortrack).

The warp coil devices, or the warp yarn bobbins, pass through theinterior of the rotor ring, which radially limits the weaving plane,whereby the warp yarns are alternately split-off by the iterating changein position of the warp yarn bobbins on both sides of the weaving plane,which is determined by the course of the weft yarns within the rotorring without influencing the rotation of the rotor ring or the shooterin any way.

The warp coil devices or the warp yarn bobbins can preferably cross theweaving plane near the radially inner boundary of the rotor ring whichradially limits the weaving plane.

The rotor ring functions on the one hand as a guide and as a drivingmechanism on the other so as to guide and drive of all mounted shuttles.No separate guide tracks and drives are required resulting in lessdesign effort.

The rotor ring can be driven centrally or decentrally by means of amotor affixed to the frame.

Particularly homogeneous, vibration-free weaving operation is achievedat a high rotation speed due to the circumstance that the shuttlesrotate without any rolling or sliding resistance.

Particularly large weft bobbins can be used in light of the stableattachment of the shuttles to the rotor ring.

The shuttle or shuttles can be arranged radially inside the rotor ringand thus circulate within the weaving plane bounded by the rotor ring.In this case, the warp coil devices or the warp bobbins can bepositioned sideways of the weaving plane, taking into account thecirculation space of the shuttle rotating in the weaving plane.

The shuttle or shuttles can also be arranged radially on the outside ofthe rotor ring and thus circulate outside the weaving plane bounded bythe rotor ring.

In this embodiment of the shuttles, for example, the weft yarns can befed inwards through a guide eye in each rotor ring and into the weavingplane.

If the shuttle is arranged radially on the outer side of the rotor ring,after which it moves outside the weaving plane bounded by the circularcontinuous track, the weaving plane, analogous to the design with theexternal-rotor guide track, is only passed through by the weft yarn ofthe weft yarn bobbin itself, so that the warp coil devices with the warpyarn bobbins can be placed directly next to the weaving plane withouthaving to take the rotational space of the shuttle into account. Thisoffers the same advantages as the version with the external-rotor guidetrack referred to here.

A lateral or integral arrangement of the shuttle(s) on or in the rotorring is also conceivable, whereby the shuttle(s) likewise do notcirculate in the weaving plane.

In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement of the weft bobbin on theshuttle, the axis of rotation of the weft bobbin is arranged around theweaving axis in the direction of rotation of the shuttle. In otherwords, the axis of rotation of the weft bobbin is tangential to therotation of the shuttle. The circulation of the shuttle is sospace-efficient that the circular weaving machine can be made all themore compact.

Alternatively, it may be advantageous to arrange the axis of rotation ofthe weft bobbin perpendicular to the weaving axis, whereby the overlapof the weft bobbin with the warp coil devices or the warp bobbins issmaller when the weft bobbin passes through and more space and timeremains for the position change of the warp coil devices and/or warpbobbins.

Depending on the weaving material used and the desired weaving result,it may be advantageous for the axis of rotation of the warp bobbin to bearranged substantially parallel to the weaving axis (and thussubstantially perpendicular to the weaving plane) or substantiallytangential to the weaving axis (and thus substantially parallel to theweaving plane). In these embodiments, the warp yarn is drawn off fromthe warp bobbin tangentially and thus without any deflection, which isan advantage when using very brittle fibers, such as high-modulus carbonfibers.

One advantageous embodiment of the circular weaving machine is designedsuch that the travel path of the warp coil device with the warp bobbinis designed in the form of a circular arc with a constant radius throughthe weaving plane.

Such a movement of the warp coil device with the warp bobbin through theweaving plane keeps the length of the warp yarn from the warp yarnbobbin to the weaving point constant over the entire travel distance ofthe warp yarn bobbin, so that any fluctuations in yarn tension duringdelivery or acceptance of the warp yarn bobbins may be avoided whenspreading the warp yarns. This allows a particularly homogeneous, firmfabric to be created.

One particularly advantageous embodiment of the circular weaving machineis designed such that the warp coil device with the warp bobbin can bemoved along a travel path to the side of the weaving plane.

Based on this embodiment of the circular weaving machine, the warp coildevice with the warp bobbin can be moved both through the weaving planeand beside the weaving plane, preferably parallel to the weaving plane.

One or more warp coil devices with the warp bobbin(s) can be guidedaround the circumference of the circular weaving machine cyclically orcontinuously, iterating or alternating, in sections or completely and atvariable distances from one another and from the weaving axis.

This allows any variable course of the warp yarns in relation to theweaving axis to be generated, which considerably expands the possiblevariations in fabric structures and fabric patterns that can be achievedwith the circular weaving machine.

A structurally advantageous design provides that the warp coil devicecan be moved with the warp bobbin by means of a positioning device andcan be positioned in defined alternating positions. The positioningdevice moves the warp coil device with the warp yarn bobbin along apredetermined travel path and into differently adjustable alternatingpositions on both sides of the weaving plane in order to alternatelychange sides and divide the warp yarn.

The positioning device can be fixed to the frame of the machine housingof the circular weaving machine, e.g. on the frame for the conveyor orguide track, or it can also be mounted movably on the latter. Thepositioning device has a means for moving and positioning the warp coildevice or the warp yarn bobbin.

In a practical embodiment of the positioning device, it has at least onemovable bobbin gripper and one stationary bobbin gripper, wherein themovable bobbin gripper aids in the alternating transfer of the warp-yarnbobbin from one change position to another change position and thestationary bobbin gripper temporarily fixes or locks the warp yarnbobbin in one of the change positions.

The movable bobbin gripper can be moved, for example, by means of aguided gear rod (guide rod), which is driven by an actuator. This allowsa linear, quick change of position of the warp bobbin on both sides ofthe weaving plane.

In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the positioning devicealternatively has at least two movable bobbin grippers.

This means that both the warp bobbin can be transferred from one changeposition and the warp bobbin can be transferred to the other changeposition simultaneously and halfway along the travel path and viceversa. The movable bobbin grippers move towards each other fordelivery/acceptance of the warp yarn bobbin, so that the distance to becovered and thus the travel time for each movable bobbin gripper isreduced by half. As a result, the time needed for the circulation pathof the shuttle is shorter via the bobbin grabber passing through thewarp yarn bobbin so that the rotational speed of the shuttle or thenumber of circulating shuttles can be increased.

In combination and interaction of two movable bobbin grippers with astationary bobbin gripper, the warp yarn bobbin can be delivered oraccepted in sections, such as, for example, delivery or acceptance intoan intermediate position between two weaving planes in a design with twocircular continuous tracks (conveyor and/or guide tracks) arranged nextto each other.

The design of the positioning device for positioning a warp coil devicewith the warp yarn bobbin can be expanded by several movable bobbingrippers and several stationary bobbin grippers.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the circular weavingmachine, the positioning device has a handling robot or is arranged on ahandling robot.

If the positioning device has a handling robot, all degrees of freedomcan be used for guiding and positioning the bobbin grippers and thus thewarp coil device with the warp yarn bobbin.

If the positioning device is arranged on a handling robot, linearmovement of the movable bobbin grippers of the positioning devicethrough the weaving plane can be combined with freely selectable travelor position change for the positioning device lateral in relation to theweaving plane, which results in considerable travel path combinationsfor the warp coil device with the warp yarn bobbin.

In another advantageous embodiment of the circular weaving machine, thepositioning device is arranged on a warp bobbin ring mounted to rotateabout the weaving axis. This allows the positioning device to rotatelaterally in relation to the weaving plane along a defined radius aroundthe weaving axis using simple methods.

Several positioning devices can be placed on the warp bobbin ring andmoved simultaneously at a fixed distance to each other and to theweaving axis.

The movement of the warp bobbin ring, and thus of the warp coil deviceswith the warp yarn bobbins, can be adjusted continuously ordiscontinuously, clockwise or counter-clockwise by means of a drive.

This design makes it possible, for example, to combine the linearmovement of the mobile bobbin grippers of several positioning devicesthrough the weaving plane with the rotary movement of the positioningdevices laterally in relation to the weaving plane, which also resultsin a large number of guide track combinations for the warp coil deviceswith the warp yarn bobbins.

Based on an additional design, in the alternating position, the radialdistance of the outer contour of the warp coil device with the warp yarnspool and/or the radial distance of the outer contour of the positioningdevice from the weaving axis, may be smaller than the radial distance ofthe inner contour of the shuttle from the weaving axis.

In this arrangement of the machine elements relative to one anotherwhereby the shuttle that revolves around the weft bobbin in the weavingplane is separated from the weaving axis by a larger radius than thewarp coil device from the warp yarn bobbin and/or the positioningdevice, the size and the distance between the shuttle and the warp coildevice with the warp yarn bobbin and/or the positioning device may beselected without influencing each other, without hindering the necessaryrotation space of the weft yarn bobbin.

In this manner, the size of the weft bobbin, for example, can beselected largely independently of the space required by the warp yarnbobbin or positioning device and vice versa. Weft bobbins with an evenlarger diameter can be used without having to increase the lateraldistance between the warp coil device and the warp bobbin or the lateraldistance between the positioning device and the weaving plane.Uninterrupted weaving time can be increased with large weft bobbins andwarp yarn bobbins.

Conversely, the machine elements are arranged in a particularly compactand space-saving manner, since the warp coil device or the warp bobbinscan be positioned directly next to the weaving plane with the weft yarnpassing through.

The resulting shorter transfer path for the warp coil device or the warpyarn bobbin and the associated shorter transfer time for the bobbingripper also allows weaving speed to be increased.

Furthermore, this results in a particularly small weaving angle of thewarp yarns to the weaving plane, which ensures almost constant yarntension when changing the position of the warp yarn bobbins and alsocreates a homogeneously taut fabric.

Alternatively, the radial distance of the outer contour of the shuttlefrom the weaving axis may be smaller than the radial distance betweenthe inner contour of the warp coil devices and the warp yarn bobbinand/or the radial distance of the inner contour of the positioningdevice from the weaving axis.

This results in another advantageous variant for a space-saving andcompact arrangement of the machine elements in relation to each other.

For example, the shuttle rotating in the weaving plane with the weftbobbin can be radially spaced from the circular continuous track alongwhich the shuttle is guided or conveyed by means of an extended support,so that the warp coil device with the warp bobbin or the positioningdevice can operate in a radial region of the weaving plane between thecircular continuous track and the shuttle.

The warp coil device with the warp bobbin or the positioning device canthus be positioned close to the weaving plane in such a way that justenough space is left for the throughfeed of the shuttle holder rotatingin the weaving plane and, due to the shed spread of the warp yarns, justenough space is left for the throughfeed of the shuttle.

In this arrangement, the shuttle is exposed to lower centrifugal forcein particular. This means that the circular weaving machine can beoperated at a higher shuttle speed and thus at a higher weaving speedwith less vibration at the same time. In addition, the machine frame canbe made lighter due to the reduced centrifugal force. The reducedcentrifugal force also prevents the fiber material from being displaced.

In accordance with an additional advantageous embodiment of the circularweaving machine, the weft bobbin can be arranged on any shuttle by meansof a handling robot. This enables the automated exchange of the weftbobbins and in particular an arbitrary positioning of the weft bobbinswith the weft yarns on different shuttles when producing a fabric.

This makes the operation of the circular weaving machine even moreefficient and further increases the variability of the weaving patternsand fabric properties that can be produced.

Preferably, the weaving core is axially movable and/or rotatable.

In the case of the axially movable design, the weaving core can be movedalong its weaving core axis or the weaving axis of the circular weavingmachine in relation to the weaving point, so that a textile fabric thatremains on the weaving core can be created. This means that the textilefabric is applied to the weaving core in a stationary manner—withoutbeing conveyed by the weaving core, as is the case with conventionalhose removal using state-of-the-art technology. After weaving, thefinished fabric can be removed from the weaving core or removed from thecircular weaving machine with the weaving core. This makes it possibleto produce individual hollow-profile-type woven products designedaccording to the weaving core used in each case.

In the case of the combined embodiment, the weaving core can also berotated during axial movement in order to create corresponding angularpositions of the warp yarns (and weft yarns) in relation to the weavingaxis on the weaving core, which is particularly favourable for theload-bearing capacity of fabrics or components subject to torsionalstress.

According to an additional embodiment, it is envisaged that the weavingcore will have a variable cross-section geometry. By achieving high anduniform yarn tension in the fabric, individual hollow-profile-like wovenproducts can be produced with a fabric that lies tightly against thecross-sectional contour of the woven core. Finally, weaving cores can beused which exactly map the desired geometry of the weaving product.

If the weaving core is multi-part, the finished fabric, in particular afabric with a variable cross-sectional contour, can be removed moreeasily from the weaving core.

A method for the production of a hollow-profile fabric with a circularweaving machine according to one of the device requirements is alsoprovided in accordance with the invention for solving the defined taskthus converting the advantages of the device described above intocorresponding procedural advantages.

Based on an advantageous embodiment of the method, the weaving core iscontinuously or discontinuously moved axially in the direction of itsweaving core axis or along the congruent weaving axis of the circularweaving machine and/or rotated around its weaving core axis or aroundthe weaving axis during the weaving process. The axial and rotationalmovement of the weaving core referred to also includes the correspondingopposing backward movement.

Based on the foregoing, the positioning of the weaving point in relationto the weaving core is extensively variable, so that the density, thelayers of the fabric and the orientation of the weaving yarns along theweaving core can be varied and certain fabrics with different fabricdensities, fabric layers and fabric structures can be produced.

Based on a preferred embodiment of the method, the weaving core can beinserted and removed from both sides of the circular weaving machine. Asa result of the consistently concentric design of the circular weavingmachine, this area can be used on both sides of the circular weavingmachine for the continuous or discontinuous feeding and discharge ofweaving cores to and from the circular weaving machine. This option formovement provides beneficial conditions for automating the changingprocess for the weaving cores.

This means that the weaving cores to be moved in the circular weavingmachine can be changed either in an automatic inline or return lineprocess.

According to one embodiment of the method, it may be technologicallyadvantageous to use the web core as the form and consolidation core.

For this purpose, the hollow-profile-like fabric produced is left on theweaving core for further processing and, after removal of the weavingcore from the circular weaving machine, is immediately subjected tofurther processing together with the weaving core.

Further processing can include impregnation of the produced fabric withresin and further consolidation of the impregnated fabric, whereby theweaving core continues to serve as a form and consolidation core. Onlyafter this further treatment is the finished, is the cured hollowprofile-like fabric product demoulded from the weaving core.

Alternatively, the fabric produced can be brought into at least aninherently stable state before it is removed from the weaving core andfurther processed as an inherently stable, hollow-profile fabric preforminto a hollow-profile fabric product. Inherent stability of the fabricpreform can be achieved, for example, by adding and melting down abinder that bonds the woven yarns together.

These and other features resulting from the patent claims, thedescription of the representative embodiments and the drawings may berealized individually or in combination as advantageous embodiments ofthe invention for which protection is sought here.

The device in accordance with the invention is explained in detail belowby means of representative embodiments. The associated drawings inschematic representation illustrate the following:

FIG. 1 A front view of a circular weaving machine in accordance with theinvention with a rotor ring with two shuttles;

FIG. 2 a, b, c A side view of the circular weaving machine according toFIG. 1 in three working phases of weaving a weaving core;

FIG. 3 A semi-profile of the circular weaving machine according to FIG.1 with an alternative positioning device when weaving a contoured,two-part weaving core with a variable cross-section;

FIG. 4 A semi-profile of the circular weaving machine according to FIG.1 with a warp coil device and the axis of rotation of the warp bobbinarranged tangentially to the weaving axis;

FIG. 5 A semi-profile of the circular weaving machine according to FIG.1 with the orientation of the shuttle to the weaving axis within theradius of the inner contour of the warp coil devices;

FIG. 6 A semi-profile of the circular weaving machine according to FIG.1 with a positioning device with a circularly movable bobbin gripper;

FIG. 7 A semi-profile of the circular weaving machine in accordance withthe invention with two rotor rings each of which with two shuttles;

FIG. 8a A semi-profile of the circular weaving machine according to FIG.7 with a first alternative positioning device;

FIG. 8b A semi-profile of the circular weaving machine according to FIG.7 with a second alternative positioning device with two movable bobbingrippers and a stationary bobbin gripper;

FIG. 9 A front view of a circular weaving machine in accordance with theinvention with positioning devices that may be moved around thecircumference of the circular weaving machine;

FIG. 10 A front view of a circular weaving machine in accordance withthe invention with positioning devices arranged on at least onerotatably mounted warp bobbin ring;

FIG. 11 A semi-profile of the circular weaving machine according to thevariant depicted in FIG. 10 with several warp bobbin rings;

FIG. 12 A front view of a circular weaving machine in accordance withthe invention with a multi-part, annular guide track on which fiveshuttle frames are guided;

FIG. 13 A profile view of the circular weaving machine according to FIG.12;

FIG. 14 A semi-profile of the circular weaving machine in accordancewith the invention with three multi-part annular guide tracks each ofwhich with two shuttles;

FIG. 15 A semi-profile of the circular weaving machine in annular guidetrack with several warp bobbin rings;

FIG. 16 A semi-profile of the circular weaving machine in accordancewith the invention with one rotor ring and with a handling robotequipped with positioning devices;

FIG. 17 A profile view of the circular weaving machine according to FIG.8b with a handling robot to change the weft bobbins.

The circular weaving machine according to FIG. 1 has a centricallyarranged weaving core 1 a with a cylindrical cross-section and anannular rotor (rotor ring) 2. The weaving core 1 a is rotatable about aweaving axis 3 and can be moved along this weaving axis 3 on a hollowcylindrical machine housing 4 of the circular weaving machine. The rotorring 2 is also mounted rotatably on the machine housing 4 and rotatesconcentrically around the weaving core 1 a.

Two shuttles 5 are mounted on the rotor ring 2 which are offset by 180°and are thus arranged opposite one another, and are consequentlyconveyed along the continuous circular track (conveyor track) 2 aroundthe weaving core 1 a formed by the rotor ring 2 at a constant distancefrom one another, the conveying line of the shuttles 5 being determinedby the shape of the rotor ring (conveyor track) 2. In thisrepresentative embodiment, the interior of the rotor ring 2 limits ausable weaving plane 6 of the circular weaving machine to a radialextent.

The shuttles 5 each have a weft yarn bobbin (weft bobbin) 7, the weftyarn 8 of which is guided under a specific yarn tension linear to theweaving point on the weaving core 1 a for moving the weaving core 1 a.The shape of weaving plane 6 in the interior of the rotor ring 2 is—ascan be seen in FIG. 2 a, b, c in particular—determined by the course ofweft yarn 8—essentially circular-disc-shaped, whereby in this design theshuttles 5 project into the interior of the rotor ring 2 andconsequently circulate within weaving plane 6.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 a, b, c, the rotor ring 2 is driven bya motor 9 via, for example, a toothed wheel gear. In the representativeembodiment, the pivot bearing of the rotor ring 2 is mounted by means ofa rolling bearing comprising the rotor ring 2.

Twelve warp coil devices 10 are arranged concentrically around theweaving core 1 a and at the same distance from one another, each with awarp spool 11, the warp yarn 12 of which is guided linearly to theweaving point on the weaving core 1 a under a specific yarn tension formoving the weaving core 1 a.

The warp coil devices 10 can be moved essentially axially, primarilyparallel to the weaving axis 3 by means of a positioning device 13attached to each machine housing 4 and can be positioned in twochangeable positions next to weaving plane 6 (see FIG. 1, 2 a, b, c).

Each positioning device 13 for moving and positioning the warp coildevice 10 or the warp spool 11 provides two mobile spool grippers 14 a,which are arranged on both sides of the rotor ring 2 distributed overthe circumference of the circular weaving machine in accordance withFIG. 2.

For the sake of clarity, only two positioning devices 13 are shown inFIG. 2 a, b, c, namely the twelve positioning devices arranged uniformlyaround the circumference of the hollow cylindrical machine housing 4 ofthe circular weaving machine in the 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions.

The two bobbin grippers 14 a of each of the positioning 13 are mountedon the machine housing 4 axially movable by means of a guide rod 15 andcan be individually controlled.

For purposes of the iterating change of warp yarns 12, the warp coildevices 10 and warp yarn 11 are guided through the weaving plane 6parallel to weaving axis 3 by means of bobbin grippers 14 a andalternately positioned in alternating positions on both sides of weavingplane 6.

The warp yarns 12 of the warp bobbins 11 guide at an alternatingvariable angle 16 with respect to the weaving plane 6 (weaving angle) tothe weaving point on the weaving core 1 a whereas the weft yarns 8 runessentially perpendicular to the weaving axis 3 (see FIG. 2 a, b, c).

By the alternately formed spreading of the warp yarns 12 to each otherand the two shuttle 5 rotating in the direction of rotation of the rotorring 2, the warp yarns 12 for weaving the weaving core 1 a are wovenwith the weft yarns 8 to produce a hollow profile-like fabric 17.

The axis of rotation of the weft bobbins 7 carried by the shuttle 5 isin the circumferential direction of the shuttle 5 and the axis ofrotation of the warp bobbins 11 is arranged essentially parallel to theweaving plane 6 and perpendicular to the weaving axis 3.

Based on this arrangement and alignment of bobbins 7, 11 to the weavingplane 6 or weaving axis 3, the weft yarns 8 and warp yarns 12 are fedinto the weaving core 1 a with as few or no deflections as far aspossible.

FIGS. 2 a, b, c show snapshots of three phases of the changingpositioning process of the warp coil devices 10 and the warp yarn 11 inthe circular weaving machine during rotation of the shuttle 5 by 180°.

In FIG. 2a , the two shuttles 5 are in the 6 o'clock and 12 o'clockpositions of the circular weaving machine. In this position, therespective warp coil device 10 with the warp bobbin 11 is located in theimage plane to the right of the rotor ring 2 or to the left of the rotorring 2, so that the space for the passage of the shuttle 5 in thedirection of rotation of the rotor ring 2 about the weaving axis 3 iscleared by the warp threads 12 spread off the weaving plane 6, thusforming a shed.

After the shuttles 5 pass through the 6 o'clock or 12 o'clock position,the bobbin grippers 14 a of the positioning device 13 move towards eachother in accordance with FIG. 2b and meet directly in the weaving plane6 to transfer the warp coil devices 10 or the warp bobbins 11. Thismeans that each bobbin gripper 14 a only has to cover about half of thetotal distance between the changing positions of the warp coil devices10 or of the warp yarn 11, which means that the position change can takeplace more quickly.

In the working phase according to FIG. 2c , the warp coil device 10 orwarp yarn bobbin 11, previously positioned in the image plane to theright of the rotor ring 2, is located on the left side of the rotor ring2; the warp coil device 10 or warp yarn bobbin 11, previously positionedin the image plane to the left of the rotor ring 2, is located on theright side of the rotor ring. As a result of the now-exchanged positionof the warp coil device 10 or warp yarn bobbin 11, the warp yarn 12 isnow spread in opposite directions from the weaving plane 6 and in turncreates the space (shed) for a new pass-through of the shuttle 5,whereby the shuttle 5, previously located at the 6 o'clock position,passes through the 12 o'clock position and vice versa. The warp coildevice 10 or warp bobbin 11 can also be changed after the shuttles 5have passed through several times.

The warp yarns 12 are alternately spread in opposite directions in theprescribed or another alternating mode of the warp coil devices 10 orwarp yarn bobbins 11, whereby as a result the warp yarns 12 areundulating with the weft yarns 8 of the shuttle 5 carried along on thetrack of rotor ring 2 to produce a fabric 17 with the desired weavingpattern.

By means of the controllable drive motor 9 of the rotor ring 2 and theindividual drive and the control of the bobbin gripper 14, the weavingpattern can also be changed during the weaving process.

A high weft tension of weft thread 8 can be built up by the shuttle 5fixed to the rotating rotor ring 2 and the weft thread 8 running in astraight line from the weft thread bobbin 7 on the weaving core 1 a,whereby a very strong fabric 17 can be produced on the weaving core 1 a.

The warp coil devices 10 with the warp yarn bobbins 11 are arranged indirect lateral proximity to the interior of the rotor ring 2 and thusnear the weaving plane 6, so that the transfer of the warp coil devices10 or warp bobbins 11 can take place on short paths and also the angularchange of the weaving angle 16 of the warp yarns 12 to the weaving plane6 during the position change of the warp coil devices 10 or the warpyarn bobbins 11 is small.

During the weaving process, for example, the weaving core 1 a can befixed in a stationary position depending on the desired weaving result,whereby the fabric 17 is continuously pulled off the weaving core 1 a inthe axial direction along the weaving axis 3. Alternatively, the weavingcore 1 a can be axially movable along the weaving axis 3, whereby thefabric 17 is deposited on the weaving core 1 a in a fixed/stationarymanner. Depending on the desired weaving result, the axial movement ofthe weaving core 1 a can be quasi-stationary, discontinuous orcontinuous. It is also possible to move the weaving core 1 a forward andbackward to produce several layers of fabric 17.

During its axial movement, the weaving core 1 a can also be rotatedabout the weaving axis 3 to produce a changed angular position of thewarp yarns 12 and weft yarns 8 of e.g. +/−60° to the weaving axis 3 onthe weaving core 1 a.

After weaving the weaving core 1 a through a fabric 17 remainingstationary on the weaving core 1 a, the weaving core 1 a can be removedsideways from the circular weaving machine and the circular weavingmachine can be equipped with a further moveable weaving core 1.

FIG. 3 shows a semi-profile cut-out of the circular weaving machineaccording to FIG. 1, 2 a, b, c, which shows the weaving of an unevenlycontoured weaving core 1 b with variable cross-section in the manner ofa double paraboloid (diaboloid). The unevenly contoured weaving core 1 bis moved axially along the weaving axis 3, whereby the fabric 17 isdeposited in a fixed/stationary manner along the weaving core 1 b.

Only the differences compared to the circular weaving machine accordingto FIG. 1, 2 a, b, c are described below.

The taut yarn guidance of weft yarn 8 and warp yarn 12 with largelydeflection-free yarn guidance and with essentially uniform yarn tensionmakes it possible to produce a fabric 17 that is tight against theunevenly contoured weaving core 1 b and follows the contour of theweaving core 1 b true to contour.

The unevenly contoured weaving core 1 b is designed in two parts tofacilitate demoulding of the correspondingly shaped fabric 17. Thetransverse separation of the weaving core 1 b, as shown in therepresentative embodiment, makes it possible to easily separate theweaving core 1 b from the double-parabolic fabric 17 on both sides.

Of the twelve positioning devices 13 for moving and positioning the warpcoil devices 10 and the warp bobbins 11, only one is shown in FIG.3—analogous to FIGS. 2 a, b, c—for the sake of overview, namely thepositioning device 13 arranged in the 12 o'clock position of thecircular weaving machine.

In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 2 a, b, c, thepositioning devices 13 according to FIG. 3 each provide only one axiallymovable bobbin gripper 14 a (here in the image plane on the right),whereby the associated stationary bobbin gripper 14 b (in the imageplane on the left), which is arranged opposite the weaving plane 6, isfixed to the machine housing 4.

For alternating positioning, the warp coil device 10 or the warp yarnbobbin 11 (right position of the warp yarn bobbin marked with R) locatedin the image plane right of the weaving plane 6 is guided through theweaving plane 6 by means of the movable bobbin gripper 14 a andtransferred to the corresponding stationary bobbin gripper 14 b left ofthe weaving plane 6, which holds the warp coil device 10 or the warpyarn bobbin 11 during a changing cycle (left position of the warp yarnbobbin 11 marked with L). After the shuttle 5 has passed through withthe weft bobbin 7, the movable bobbin gripper 14 a removes the warp coildevice 10 or the warp yarn bobbin 11 from the stationary bobbin gripper14 b and returns it to the initial alternating position, from where itis transferred again to the stationary bobbin gripper 14 b after theadditional shuttle 5 has passed through. The movable bobbin gripper 14 acovers the entire distance between the alternating positions on bothsides of the warp coil device 10 or the warp yarn bobbin 11 by means ofthe correspondingly extended guide linkage 15. The process is repeatedin a certain alternating mode related to the run of the shuttle(s) 5.

In this embodiment, only half of all bobbin grippers 14 are movable incontrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 2 a, b, c, as a result ofwhich the design effort for the axial movement and positioning of thewarp bobbin device 10 and the warp bobbin 11 is advantageously reduced.

FIG. 4 shows a semi-profile section of the circular weaving machineaccording to FIG. 1, 2 a, b, c with a positioning device 13 according toFIG. 3. In contrast to FIG. 3, the circular weaving machine has adifferent arrangement of the warp bobbins 11 and a particularly large,unevenly contoured weaving core 1 b.

The circular weaving machine according to FIG. 4 illustrates a differentoperating cycle for the positioning device 13 that generates a clearlydifferent weaving pattern for the fabric 17 on the weaving core 1 b.

Only these differences in the circular weaving machine and the weavingprocess will be discussed below.

As regards the arrangement of the warp bobbins 11 in comparison to thecircular weaving machine according to FIG. 3, the axis of rotation ofthe warp bobbin 11 according to FIG. 4 is also arranged essentiallyparallel to the weaving plane 6 but in tangential alignment to theweaving axis 3. In this arrangement, the warp yarn 12 is thus completelyremoved from the warp yarn bobbin 11 without any deflection, whichresults in a particularly thread-protecting guide.

FIG. 4 also shows that the geometry of the circular weaving machine inaccordance with the invention allows the use of weaving cores 1 with aparticularly large cross-section y The radius of the weaving core 1 canreach at the maximum up to the inner radius of the rotating shuttle 5 orweft bobbins 7 or up to the inner radius of the warp coil devices 10 orwarp yarn bobbins 11, depending on which part of the weaving axis 3 iscloser.

Based on circular weaving machine according to FIG. 4, a weaving processis used in accordance with the weaving pattern of fabric 17 visible onthe weaving core 1 b, in which the positioning devices 13 are controlledin such a way that the warp bobbins 11 change their position only afterthree shuttle passes (through the first shuttle 5, the second shuttle 5and again through the first shuttle 5), so that the fabric produced 17has less undulation. A fabric 17 with less undulation is particularlygentle to the fibers, since fewer fiber deflections weaken the fibers,which is particularly advantageous when using sensitive fiber material.

FIG. 5 shows a semi-profile except of the circular weaving machineaccording to FIG. 1, 2 a, b, c with a positioning device 13 according toFIG. 3 and with an alternative arrangement of the rotating shuttle 5 onthe rotor ring 2 and in relation to the arrangement of the warp coildevices 10 with the warp yarn bobbins 11. The rotating shuttle 5 andwarp coil devices 10 are located at significantly different radialheights in relation to the weaving axis 3.

Only the differences compared to the circular weaving machine accordingto FIG. 1, 2 a, b, c are discussed below.

A web-shaped bracket 18 connects the shuttle 5 with the rotor ring 2 andkeeps it at a certain radial distance from the weaving axis 3.

The radial distance of the outer contour of the shuttle 5 or the weftbobbin 7 from the weaving axis 3 is thus determined such that it issmaller than the radial distance of the outer contour of the warp coildevice 10 or of the warp bobbin 11 facing the weaving core 1 b.

The warp coil devices 10 and warp yarn spools 11 can thus be positionedeven closer to the weaving plane 6 without colliding with the passingshuttle 5. The distance of the corpus of the warp coil devices 10 orwarp yarn bobbins 11 from the weaving plane 6 is only dimensioned insuch a way that the space for the passage of the web-shaped support 18of the shuttle 5 and the passage of shuttle 5 through the narrower shedof the warp threads 12 is ensured.

This results in shorter travel distances and travel times for the warpcoil devices 10 or warp yarn bobbins 11 that are axially moved by thepositioning devices 13, with the corresponding possibility to increaseweaving speed.

The travel distance of the movable bobbin hook 14 a of the positioningdevice 13 analogue FIG. 3 is significantly shorter due to the narrowerpositioning relative to the corresponding stationary bobbin gripper 14 band enables a similarly fast position change of the warp coil device 10or the warp yarn bobbin 11, as is the case with the design of thepositioning device 13 with two interacting movable bobbin grippers 14 aaccording to FIG. 2 a, b, c.

Furthermore, this embodiment results in a particularly small weavingangle 16 for the warp yarn 12 to the weaving plane 6 withcorrespondingly lower fluctuations in the yarn tension.

FIG. 6 shows a semi-profile section according to FIG. 1 with positioningdevices 13 for moving and positioning the warp coil devices 10 and thewarp bobbins 11 respectively, analogous to the embodiment according toFIG. 5, wherein in contrast to the design according to FIG. 5, the guiderod 15 of the movable bobbin gripper 14 a and the holder of thecorresponding stationary bobbin gripper 14 b are arranged and designedsuch that an arc-shaped travel path of the movable bobbin gripper 14 aalong a constant radius around the weaving point on the weaving core 1 binstead of a linear axial travel movement is achieved.

In this embodiment, the length of warp yarn 12 between the warp bobbin11 and the weaving point on the weaving core 1 b remains the same atevery position of the travel path of the warp bobbin 11, so that yarntension remains constant over the entire travel path with thecorresponding advantages for a fabric 17 to be produced that ispermanently true to shape.

FIG. 7 shows a semi-profile section of the circular weaving machine inaccordance with the invention which, unlike the circular weaving machineaccording to FIG. 1, 2 a, b, c, has two rotor rings 2.1, 2.2 which aremounted rotatably on the hollow-cylindrical machine housing 4 inparallel arrangement to one another and rotate around an unevenlycontoured loom core 1 b with a variable cross-section.

Only the differences when compared to the circular weaving machineaccording to FIG. 1 will be discussed below.

The two rotor rings 2.1, 2.2 form two circular tracks (conveyor tracks)2.1, 2.2 each for conveying a pair of shuttles 5, which are fastened inpairs to one rotor ring 2.1, 2.2 each via a web-type holder 18 analogousto the embodiment according to FIG. 5, 6 and are carried along with therotary movement of the respective rotor ring 2.1, 2.2 at a constantdistance from each other. Preferably, the shuttles 5 comprising theshuttle pair are offset 180° to each other and thus arranged opposite inthe respective rotor ring 2.1, 2.2.

The interior space of each rotor ring 2.1, 2.2 comprises a usableweaving plane 6.1, 6.2 of the circular weaving machine. The weft yarns 8carried by the shuttle 5 of both rotor 2.1, 2.2 run linearly to one andthe same weaving point on the weaving core 1 b, so that the weavingplanes 6.1, 6.2 are essentially circular-disc-shaped and essentiallyparallel to each other.

The rotor rings 2.1, 2.2 can rotate in the same direction or in oppositedirections and at different speeds to each other by means of separatedrive 9.1, 9.2, which, in combination with the alternating warp coildevices 10 or warp bobbins 11, can produce fabric 17 with veryindividual weaving patterns and with different fabric properties.

This embodiment also allows several weft yarns 8 of different fiberquality to be processed together.

The circular weaving machine has positioning devices 13 for moving andpositioning the warp coil devices 10 or warp bobbins 11 according to theembodiment according to FIG. 3 and an arrangement of the shuttles 5 onthe rotor rings 2.1, 2.2 according to the embodiments according to FIG.5, 6.

For alternating positioning, the warp coil device 10 or the warp yarnbobbin 11 (right position of the warp bobbin 11 marked with R) is guidedaxially through both weaving planes 6.1, 6.2 by means of the movablebobbin gripper 14 a with correspondingly elongated guide rods 15 andtransferred to the corresponding stationary bobbin gripper 14 b on theleft side of the two weaving planes 6.1, 6.2 and held there during analternating cycle (left position of the warp bobbin 11 marked with L).After a shuttle 5 or several shuttles 5 of both rotor rings 2.1, 2.2have passed through in a certain mode, the movable bobbin gripper 14 atakes over the warp coil device 10 or the warp bobbin 11 from thestationary bobbin gripper 14 b in a certain alternating mode and movesthem back to the initial alternating position.

FIG. 8a shows a first alternative embodiment of the circular weavingmachine according to FIG. 7 with positioning devices 13, which, incontrast to the version of positioning devices 13 according to FIG. 3,each have a movable bobbin gripper 14 a and a stationary bobbin gripper14 b as well as a further stationary bobbin gripper 14 b.

The stationary bobbin gripper 14 b, which is additional to the versionaccording to FIG. 3, is arranged in an intermediate change position inthe middle between the two rotor rings 2.1, 2.2 (position M). Themovable bobbin gripper 14 a can transfer the warp coil device 10 or thewarp bobbin 11 to the stationary bobbin gripper 14 b in the left-handalternating position (position L) or to the stationary bobbin gripper 14b in the middle alternating position (position M).

This increases the variability of the change modes of the warp coildevices 10 and warp yarn bobbins 11, respectively, so that even greaterflexibility in the design of the weaving patterns is achieved.

FIG. 8b shows a second alternative embodiment of the circular weavingmachine according to FIG. 7 with positioning devices 13, which, incontrast to the version of the positioning 13 according to FIG. 1, 2 a,b, c, have a stationary bobbin gripper 14 b in addition to two movablebobbin grippers 14 a each.

The additional stationary bobbin gripper 14 b, when compared to theembodiment according to FIG. 1, 2 a, b, c, is arranged in anintermediate change position (position M) between the two rotor rings2.1, 2.2.

The two movable bobbin grippers 14 a can alternately transfer a warpcoil device 10 or the warp bobbin 11 in a selectable change mode to thestationary bobbin gripper 14 b in the middle change position (positionM) or to the opposite movable bobbin gripper 14 a in the outer changeposition (position R, L).

In this embodiment, two warp coil devices 10 or warp bobbins 11 can beoperated simultaneously by the same positioning device 13. As can beseen from FIG. 8b , the two warp bobbins 11 positioned at positions Rand L can be transferred alternately to the stationary bobbin gripper 14b in the middle change position (position M) or taken over from thisposition.

This not only increases the variability of the change modes of the warpcoil devices 10 and warp yarn bobbins 11 with subsequently increasedflexibility in weaving pattern design, but also the weaving speed due toshorter and simultaneously executable transfer paths.

This double circular weaving machine with two rotor rings 2.1, 2.2 andthe flexibly manageable positioning devices 13 increases the possibilityof combining the applicable operating parameters, materials and weavingmodes to create fabric 17 with the most diverse weaving patterns andfabric properties.

The circular weaving machine according to the invention can be equippedwith any number of rotor rings 2 or weaving planes 6 and withpositioning devices 13 with any number of bobbin gripper elements.

FIG. 9 shows a circular weaving machine which, like the circular weavingmachine according to FIG. 1, has a rotor ring 2 with two shuttles 5 andtwelve warp coil devices 10, each with a warp bobbin 11, which aremounted on the hollow-cylindrical machine housing 4 of the circularweaving machine by means of a positioning device 13.

In contrast to the circular weaving machine according to FIG. 1, one ormore of the twelve positioning devices 13 can be moved along thecircumference of the machine housing 4.

This means that the warp coil devices 10 and warp bobbins 11 can bevariably displaced about the weaving axis 3 in the tangential(circumferential) direction as well as axially and parallel to theweaving axis 3 by means of the movable positioning devices 13.

Only the differences to the circular weaving machine according to FIG. 1will be described in detail below. Identical components are marked withidentical reference numbers.

The positioning devices 13, which can be moved around the circumferenceof the circular weaving machine, can be moved or rolled along aperipheral or sectional groove 20 by means of a slide or roller element19 or in a perforated track in the hollow-cylindrical machine housing 4and can each be controlled by a servomotor (not shown).

This allows the warp coil devices 10 or warp bobbins 11, which aredistributed over the circumference of the circular weaving machine, tobe displaced tangentially around the weaving core 1 a, as indicated bythe arrows in FIG. 9. For example, positioning device 13 can be movedfrom the 2 o'clock position to the 1 o'clock position and back, whileadjacent positioning device 13 is moved from the 1 o'clock position tobetween 0 o'clock and the 1 o'clock position and back.

Furthermore, positioning devices 13 can be arranged tangentially movableon one or both sides of the weaving plane 6 formed by rotor ring 2 andweft yarns 8 on the machine housing 4.

In particular, gripper elements 14 of the positioning device 13 that arearranged on the machine housing 4 either fixed to the frame ortangentially movable on one side of the weaving plane 6 can work incooperation with gripper elements 14 of the positioning device 13 thatare arranged either fixed to the frame or tangentially movable on theother side of the weaving plane 6 (not shown).

This results in particular that, for purposes of the iterating change ofthe warp yarns 12, stationary bobbin grippers 14 b, or bobbin grippers14 a of a positioning device 13 that may be axially moved through theweaving plane 6 with stationary bobbin grippers 14 b or bobbin grippers14 a that may be axially moved through the weaving plane 6 of adjacentpositioning devices 13 come into operative contact.

The flexible rotational positions and combination possibilities of thecorresponding gripper elements 14 of the positioning devices 13 allow avariable path for the warp yarns 12 in relation to the weaving axis 3and thus any bundle or gap arrangements of the warp yarns 12 woven withthe weft yarns 8 on the weaving core 1 a to generate, for example,openings or reinforcements in the fabric 17—as indicated in FIG.9—mechanically and with little effort.

In contrast to the circular weaving machine according to FIG. 10, thecircular weaving machine according to FIG. 9 has at least one warpbobbin ring 21 which is rotatably mounted on a box-shaped machinehousing 4 and on which some of the positioning devices 13 or all twelvepositioning devices 13 are arranged. These positioning devices 13 orfurther positioning devices 13 can alternatively be arranged distributedacross several warp bobbin rings 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4 as can be seenfrom the view according to FIG. 11.

The warp bobbin ring 21 or the warp bobbin rings 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4is/are arranged sideways of weaving plane 6 limited by the rotor ring 2and are each mounted concentrically about the weaving axis 3 on themachine housing 4. The pivot bearing for the warp bobbin ring 21 or thewarp bobbin rings 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4 is provided in the illustrativeembodiment analogous to the pivot bearing of the rotor ring 2 by meansof a roller bearing attached to the machine housing 4 (shown in FIG.11).

Each warp bobbin ring 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4 is separately driven andcontrolled by a motor 22 and a gear drive, so that these are moved in acertain mode (cyclically or continuously, clockwise orcounter-clockwise) with the positioning devices 13 located thereon andthe positioning devices 13 can assume any desired rotary position aroundthe circular weaving machine, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 10.

The warp coil devices 10 with the warp bobbins 11 can be moved axiallyand thus parallel to the weaving axis 3 on the one hand and, on theother, in tangential (rotary) direction around the weaving axis 3, bymeans of the continuously movable positioning devices 13.

The gripper elements 14 of the positioning devices 13 mounted rotatablyin this way can be combined on one or both sides of weaving plane 6 withgripper elements 14 of positioning devices 13 arranged fixed to theframe (not shown).

For example, bobbin grippers 14 of the positioning devices 13 can bearranged on one side of the weaving plane 6 on a warp bobbin ring 21 andthe corresponding bobbin grippers 14 of these positioning devices 13 onthe other side of the weaving plane 6 can be fixed to the frame ofmachine housing 4 (not shown).

As shown as an example in FIG. 11 in a semi-profile view of the circularweaving machine according to FIG. 10, the positioning devices 13 can bearranged on warp bobbin rings 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4 mounted on bothsides of the weaving plane 6, it being possible to move the warp bobbinrings 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4 cyclically or continuously at the same ordifferent speed and in the same or opposite direction to each other.

In both cases, stationary, or bobbin grippers 14 a, 14 b that areaxially moveable through the weaving plane 6, of a positioning device 13with stationary, or bobbin grippers 14 a, 14 b that are axially moveablethrough the weaving plane 6, of adjacent positioning devices optionallycome into operative connection for iterating change of the warp yarns12.

The multitude of rotational positions and possible combinations of thegripper elements 14 (bobbin gripper 14) of the positioning devices 13allow a particularly high variability of the course of the warp threads12 during weaving with weft yarns 8 and thus an extraordinarily highdegree of possible weaving patterns.

FIG. 11 illustrates in detail a possible variant of the circular weavingmachine according to FIG. 10 with two warp bobbin rings 21.1, 21.2,21.3, 21.4 each mounted rotatably on both sides of the weaving plane 6on the machine housing 4, i.e. two warp bobbin rings 21.1, 21.2 arelocated in the image plane to the left of the rotor ring 2 and theassociated weaving plane 6 and two warp bobbin rings 21.3, 21.4 arelocated to the right.

On each bobbin ring 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4, twelve warp coil devices 10with one warp bobbin 11 each can be arranged by means of a positioningdevice 13 as an example.

For the sake of clarity, only two positioning devices 13.1, 13.2 in the12 o'clock position of the circular weaving machine are shown in FIG.11.

Each positioning device 13.1, 13.2 provides an axially movable bobbingripper 14 a and a stationary bobbin gripper 14 b, which are arranged onboth sides of the rotor ring 2 on a warp bobbin ring 21.1, 21.2, 21.3,21.4.

The axially movable bobbin gripper 14 a of the first positioning device13.1 is arranged on the outer left warp bobbin ring 21.1 (in the outerleft image plane). The corresponding stationary bobbin gripper 14 barranged on the other side and opposite of the weaving plane 6 isarranged on the outer, right warp bobbin ring 21.4 (in the image planeon the right outside).

The axially movable bobbin gripper 14 a of the second positioning device13.2 is arranged on the inner right warp bobbin ring 21.3 (inside rightin the image plane). The corresponding stationary bobbin gripper 14 barranged on the other side and opposite of the weaving plane 6 isarranged on the inner left coil device 21.2 (inside left in the imageplane).

The axially movable bobbin grippers 14 a of the positioning 13.1, 13.2and the warp bobbin rings 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4 can be individuallycontrolled and can move or rotate in any cycles.

In the current position of the warp bobbin rings 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4and the bobbin grippers 14 a, 14 b of the two positioning devices 13.1,13.2 according to FIG. 11, the warp coil devices 10 and warp bobbins 11are held by the bobbin grippers 14 a, 14 b of the two positioning 13.1,13.2, which are mounted on the two warp bobbin rings 21.3, 21.4 arrangedin the image plane to the right of the weaving plane 6 (right positionof the warp bobbins 11 marked with R).

The warp coil device 10 or warp bobbin 11 located in the currentposition shown on the inner right warp bobbin ring 21.3 (in the imageplane on the right inside) can be positioned alternately by means of themovable bobbin gripper 14 a of the second positioning device 13.2 aretransferred through weaving plane 6 both to the directly correspondingstationary bobbin gripper 14 b on the inner left bobbin ring 21.2 (inthe image plane left inside) and to the movable bobbin gripper 14 a ofthe first positioning device 13.1 on the outer, left bobbin ring 21.1(in the image plane left outside) (left position of the warp bobbin 11each marked with L).

From there, the warp coil device 10 or warp bobbin 11 can subsequentlybe taken over again by the directly corresponding movable bobbin gripper14 a of the second positioning device 13.2 (or a tangentially adjacentpositioning device 13) of the inner right-hand warp bobbin ring 21.3 orby the movable bobbin gripper 14 a of the first positioning device 13.1on the outer, left-hand warp bobbin ring 21.1 to the directlycorresponding stationary bobbin gripper 14 b of the first positioningdevice 13.1 (or to a tangentially adjacent positioning device 13) on theouter right warp coil device 21.4 (in the image plane on the rightoutside) or also to the movable bobbin gripper 14 a of the secondpositioning device 13.2 (or to a tangentially adjacent positioningdevice 13) on the inner right warp coil device 21.3 (not shown).

Similarly, the warp coil device 10 or warp bobbin 11 held by thestationary bobbin gripper 14 b of the first positioning device 13.1 onthe outer right warp coil device 21.4 in currently-shown setting shownin FIG. 11 can be taken over by the directly corresponding movablebobbin gripper 14 a on the outer left warp coil device 21.1 through theweaving plane 6 for their alternating positioning (left position of thewarp yarn package marked with L).

From there, the warp coil device 10 or warp bobbin 11 can subsequentlybe returned to the corresponding stationary bobbin gripper 14 b of thefirst positioning device 13.1 (or a tangentially adjacent positioningdevice 13) on the outer right warp bobbin ring 21.4 or also transferredto the movable bobbin gripper 14 a of the second positioning device 13.2(or a tangentially adjacent positioning device 13) on the inner rightwarp bobbin ring 21.3 (not shown).

By the relative movement of the warp bobbin rings 21.1, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4relative to each other, the stationary or axially movable bobbingrippers 14 a, 14 b of the circumferentially adjacent positioningdevices 13 optionally engage with each other during the alternatingpositioning of a warp coil device 10 with the warp bobbin 11.

The above description of the possible process sequences on the circularweaving machine according to FIG. 11 illustrates all the more the highapplication variability of the circular weaving machine in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative circular weaving machine compared to thecircular weaving machine according to FIG. 1, which instead of a rotor 2has a circular, multi-part guide track 23 with four sub-tracks 24 thatare arranged concentrically and firmly fit around a cylindrical weavingcore 1 a.

Identical function elements are marked with identical referencecharacters.

Five shuttles 5 are guided along the guide track 23, each of which isarranged in a cubic shuttle carriage 25, which has eight guide rollers26 each, of which two guide rollers 26 are each assigned to a sub-track24 of the guide track 23. By means of shuttle carriages 25, the shuttles5 circulate within the multi-part guide track 23 that forms the circularcontinuous track 23 for guiding the rotating shuttles 5 (guide track)and defines the line of travel for the shuttles 5.

The two inner sub-tracks 24 of the multi-part guide track 23 pointing inthe direction of the weaving axis 3 limit the radially extended interiorof the circular continuous track 23 and thus the radial extension of theusable weaving plane 6 of the circular weaving machine, with the shuttle5 rotating outside the weaving plane 6.

The shuttles 5 each have a weft bobbin 7, the weft yarn 8 of which isguided in a straight line between the two radially inner sub-tracks 24to the weaving point on the weaving core 1 a (clearly visible in FIG.13). The weaving plane 6 in the radial interior of the annular guidetrack 23 is therefore essentially circular-disc-shaped—determined inpart by the course of the weft yarns 8.

Twelve warp coil devices 10 are arranged concentrically around theweaving core 1 a, and at the same distance from each other, with onewarp bobbin 11 each, which are movably mounted on the machine housing 4by means of one positioning device 13 each. The warp yarn 12 of the warpbobbins 11 also guide the weaving core 1 a in a straight line and at avariable weaving angle 16 opposite the weaving plane 6 to the weavingpoint on the weaving core 1 a.

Each shuttle 5 is driven separately by a motor 27 attached to theshuttle carriage 25, which receives the current and the control commandsvia a slip ring contact from a corresponding slip ring (shown in FIG.13).

The shuttles 5 can therefore roll independently of each other at thesame or at different speeds within the guide track 23.

The positioning devices 13 for moving and positioning the warp coildevices 10 and warp bobbins 11 are designed analogously to thepositioning devices 13 of the circular weaving machine according to FIG.1, 2 a, b, c and position the warp coils devices 10 and the warp bobbins11, respectively, as shown in FIG. 13, on both sides of the weavingplane 6 enclosed by the two radially inner sub-tracks 24 of the guidetrack 23 and formed by the revolving weft threads 8.

For the sake of clarity, only the shuttles 5 and positioning devices 13in the 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions are shown in FIG. 13.

As with the circular weaving machine according to FIG. 1, the axis ofrotation of the weft bobbin 7 is arranged in the circumferentialdirection of the shuttle 5, while the axis of rotation of the warpbobbin 11 is arranged essentially parallel to the weaving plane 6 andperpendicular to the weaving axis 3, so that the feed of the weft yarn 8and the warp yarn 12 to the weaving core 1 a is largely accomplishedwith few or no deflections.

For purposes of the iterating change of warp yarns 12, each warp coildevice 10 or each warp yarn bobbin 11 is guided through the weavingplane 6 in both directions by means of the axially movable bobbingrippers 14 a of the positioning devices 13.

Since the shuttles 5 are arranged in the inner installation space of themulti-part guide track 23 and thus run outside the weaving plane 6enclosed by the radially inner sub-tracks 24 of the guide track 23, thelateral position of the warp coil device 10 with the warp bobbin 11 isnot influenced by the required circulation space of the shuttles 5. Thewarp coil device 10 with the warp bobbin 11 only has to allow the weftyarns 8 to pass within the weaving plane 6 and can therefore bepositioned as close as possible to the weaving plane 6; this isassociated with the benefits of a very short alternating travel path forthe warp coil device 10 or the warp bobbin 11 and a very small weaving16.

By the alternating spreading of the warp yarns 12, while the fiveshuttles 5 rotate in symmetrical or asymmetrical distances to each otherin the guide track 23, the warp yarns 12 are woven with the weft yarns 8in the desired weaving structure, whereby the uniform weaving mode shownin FIG. 12, 13 can also be changed during the weaving process by meansof the individual drive and the control of the shuttle 5 and the bobbingrippers 14 a of the positioning devices 13.

Shuttle 5, which is securely guided in the grooves of the sub-tracks 24of the guide track 23 by means of the shuttle carriage 25, can apply aparticularly high thread tension to the weft yarn 8 which is carriedalong and enables the weaving core 1 a to be woven with a very strongfabric 17.

According to this illustrative embodiment, the circular weaving machineis therefore particularly suitable for weaving an unevenly contouredweaving core 1 b with contour-conforming fabrics 17 in accordance withthe illustrative embodiments described above.

FIG. 14 shows a semi-profile section of an expanded circular weavingmachine, which is constructed similarly to the circular weaving machineaccording to FIG. 12, 13 but has three multi-part, annular guide tracks(guide tracks) 23.1, 23.2, 23.3, which are arranged parallel to oneanother. Each of the multi-part guide tracks 23.1, 23.2, 23.3 isconstructed according to guide track 23 according to FIG. 12, 13 and isequipped with two shuttles 5 (pair of shuttles), which rotate inside themulti-part guide track 23.1, 23.2, 23.3.

Only the differences compared to the embodiment of the circular weavingmachine according to FIG. 12, 13 will be discussed below.

The multi-part, circular guide tracks 23.1, 23.2, 23.3 each form acircular continuous track, (guide track) 23 and define the parallelguide tracks for the shuttle 5.

The two inner sub-tracks 24 of the guide tracks 23.1, 23.2, 23.3pointing in the direction of the weaving axis 3 each radially limit thepotentially usable weaving plane 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, with the shuttle 5rotating outside these weaving planes 6.1, 6.2, 6.3.

From the shuttle 5 of the middle guide track 23.2, the weft yarns 8 forweaving the weaving core 1 a are guided in a straight line between theassociated inner sub-tracks 24 to the weaving point on the weaving core1 a.

The weft yarns 8 of the two flanking guide tracks 23.1, 23.3 are eachguided over a yarn deflection in order to subsequently also run in astraight line to the weaving point on the weaving core 1 a.

The thread deflections of the two flanking guide tracks 23.1, 23.3 serveto bring the weft yarns 8 of the parallel rotating shuttle 5 closertogether and thus to combine the three weaving planes 6.1, 6.2, 6.3determined by the guide tracks 23.1, 23.2, 23.3 and the travel of theweft yarn.

The positioning devices 13 for moving and positioning the warp coildevices 10 or the warp bobbins 11 are designed analogously to thepositioning devices 13 of the circular weaving machine according to FIG.1, 2 a, b, c or according to FIGS. 12 and 13, whereby the warp coildevices 10 or the warp bobbins 11 are positionable on both sides of thethree combined weaving planes 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 respectively.

For the sake of clarity, only the three parallel sliding shuttles 5 andone positioning device 13 are shown in FIG. 14 in the 12 o'clockposition of the circular weaving machine.

The warp yarns 12 of the warp bobbins 11 travel linearly and with avariable weaving angle 16 to the weaving planes 6.1, 6.2, 6.3. to theweaving point on the weaving core 1 a, wherein for alternating spreadingof the warp yarns 12 each warp coil device 10 or each warp yarn bobbin11 is guided simultaneously in both directions through the three weavingplanes 6.1, 6.2, 6.3. by means of the movable bobbin grippers 14 a ofthe positioning device 13. The combination of weaving levels 6.1, 6.2,6.3. reduces the travel distance required for changing the position ofthe warp coil device 10 or the warp bobbin 11.

The weaving core 1 a according to FIG. 14 shows an example of a fabric17 produced with a weaving pattern in which the weaving mode providesfor a warp yarn change after the passage of three shuttles 5, so thatthree weft yarns windings are woven simultaneously with one warp yarn12.

This weaving mode can be generated in different operating modes of thecircular weaving machine, for example in the operating mode in which oneshuttle 5 is passed through each of the three parallel guide tracks23.1, 23.2, 23.3 between the warp yarn change. A further mode ofoperation is possible in which, between the warp yarn change, a fastrotating shuttle pair 5 passes on the middle guide track 23.2 and arelatively slow rotating shuttle 5 passes on the left adjacent guidetrack 23.1. In a second cycle after the warp yarn change, during therepeated passage of the fast rotating shuttle pair 5 on the middle guidetrack 23.2, the passage of the relatively slow rotating shuttle 5follows on the adjacent guide track 23.3 on the right.

Using the parallel guide tracks 23.1, 23.2, 23.3, shuttle 5 can beoperated side by side at very different speeds, which is particularlyimportant when processing weft yarns 8 of different weaving materials.

The shuttles 5 operated in the parallel guide tracks 23.1, 23.2, 23.3can also rotate in the same direction of rotation or in the oppositedirection, depending on the desired fabric properties.

With this expanded circular weaving machine, the ability to combine theapplicable operating parameters and thread materials to achieve a widevariety of weaving patterns and fabric properties is further increased.

FIG. 15 shows a semi-profile section of a circular weaving machine whichis constructed similar to the circular loom according to FIG. 12, 13,but provides a different number and arrangement of positioning devices13.

The differences compared to the embodiment of the circular weavingmachine according to FIG. 12, 13 will be discussed in particular below.

This circular weaving machine has two warp bobbin rings 21.1 a, 21.1 band 21.2 a, 21.2 b on each side of weaving plane 6 formed by themulti-part guide track 23 and the course of the weft yarns 8, which maybe concentrically and cascade-like rotated about the weaving axis 3.

The respective radially inner warp bobbin ring 21.1 a, 21.2 a on eachside of weaving plane 6 is rotatably mounted by means of a centralrolling bearing relative to the respective radially outer warp bobbinring 21.1 b, 21.2 b, while the respective radially outer warp bobbinring 21.1 b, 21.2 b is rotatably mounted relative to the radially innerwarp bobbin ring 21.1 a, 21.2 a by means of the central rolling bearingand relative to the machine housing 4 by means of an outer rollingbearing.

Each of the warp bobbin rings 21.1 a, 21.1 b, 21.2 a, 21.2 b isseparately driven and controlled by one motor 22 each.

Positioning devices 13 are arranged all around the warp bobbin rings21.1 a, 21.1 b and 21.2 a, 21.2 b, which are each designed with twoaxially movable bobbin grippers 14 a, 14 a in accordance with the designaccording to FIG. 12, 13.

For the sake of clarity, only the shuttle 5 and the two positioningdevices 13 in the 12 o'clock position of the circular loom are shown inFIG. 15.

The positioning devices 13, which are arranged on the cascade-like warpbobbin rings 21.1 a, 21.1 b and 21.2 a, 21.2 b, are thus arranged in tworadially staggered circular planes concentrically around the weavingaxis 3 and on both sides of weaving plane 6 and realize both the axialmovement and the circumferential movement of the warp coil devices 10and warp bobbins 11 with the aforementioned advantages.

The cascade-like warp bobbin rings 21.1 a, 21.1 b and 21.2 a, 21.2 balso allow many warp coil devices 10 and warp bobbins 11 to be arrangedin the narrowest space, thus favouring a particularly narrow design forthe circular weaving machine.

FIG. 16 shows a circular loom with a rotor ring 2 and two shuttles 5rotating with the rotor ring 2 similar to the embodiment of the rotorring 2 according to FIGS. 1 to 4.

For the sake of clarity, only the shuttle 5 and the two positioningdevices 13 in the 12 o'clock position of the circular loom are shown inFIG. 16.

In contrast to the circular weaving machine according to FIG. 1, thegripper elements/bobbin grippers 14 of the positioning devices 13arranged on both sides of weaving plane 6 are individually guided bymeans of a handling robot 28.

In this embodiment of the positioning devices 13, each warp coil device10 or warp bobbin 11 can be moved autonomously and in any axial, radialand circumferential direction to the weaving axis 3 and can bepositioned at any point laterally of the weaving plane 6.

The handling robots 28 allow maximum degrees of freedom for thepositioning of the warp bobbins 11 on both sides of weaving plane 6 andfor the travel of the warp bobbins 11 through weaving plane 6.

FIG. 17 shows a circular weaving machine similar to the circular weavingmachine with two rotor rings 2.1, 2.2 provided for according to FIG. 8b, whereby in addition to the circular weaving machine according to FIG.8b , handling robots 29 are provided which have gripper elements whichcan automatically pick up the weft bobbins 7 from the shuttle 5 atstandstill and deposit them on them.

This enables, on the one hand the automated exchange of used weftbobbins 7 and, on the other, the automated change of positions betweenthe weft bobbins 7 in operation, e.g. the weft bobbins 7 of the parallelrunning shuttles 5 of both rotor rings 2.1, 2.2, as illustrated by thearrow in FIG. 17. This allows a special undulation of weft yarns 8 withwarp yarns 12—especially during the placement of a warp yarn bobbin 11in the intermediate position between the two rotor rings 2.1, 2.2(position M)—to be achieved, whereby a fabric 17 with further specialweaving patterns and fabric properties can be produced.

The features listed in the illustrative embodiments described above canbe combined with one another to produce further advantageous embodimentsof the circular weaving machine according to the invention, which areincluded within the scope of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

-   -   1 Weaving core, cylindrical a, irregular b    -   2 Circular continuous track, conveyor track, rotor, rotor ring        .1, .2    -   3 Weaving axis    -   4 Machine housing    -   5 Shuttle    -   6 Weaving plane .1, .2, .3    -   7 Weft yarn bobbin, weft bobbin    -   8 Weft yarn    -   9 Rotor motor .1, .2    -   10 Warp coil device    -   11 Warp yarn bobbin, warp bobbin    -   12 Warp yarn    -   13 Positioning device    -   14 Bobbin gripper, moveable a, stationary b, gripper element    -   15 Guiding rods    -   16 Weaving angle    -   17 Hollow profile-like fabric    -   18 Shuttle holder    -   19 Glide or roller element    -   20 Slot    -   21 Warp bobbin ring .1, .2, .3, .4, radial inner a, radial outer        b    -   22 Warp bobbin ring motor    -   23 Circular continuous track, guideway, guide track .1, .2, .3    -   24 Sub-track    -   25 Shuttle carriage    -   26 Guide roller    -   27 Shuttle motor    -   28 Handling robot for the positioning device    -   29 Weft bobbin handling robot.

1.-23. (canceled)
 24. A circular weaving machine for weaving a weavingcore, wherein the weaving machine comprises (i) at least one shuttlecomprising a weft yarn bobbin and being movable along a circularcontinuous track around the weaving core and (ii) warp coil devices eachof which comprises a warp yarn bobbin, the warp coil devices beingconfigured to be movable, with a travel path of the warp coil deviceswith a warp yarn bobbin extending through a weaving plane enclosed bythe circular continuous track.
 25. The circular weaving machine of claim24, wherein the circular continuous track and the weaving plane enclosedby the circular continuous track are arranged quasi-radially (at anangle different from 90° in relation to the weaving axis.
 26. Thecircular weaving machine of claim 24, wherein multiple circularcontinuous tracks are provided along which the at least one shuttle maybe moved, the travel path of the warp coil device with the warp yarnbobbin extending through the weaving planes enclosed by the circularcontinuous tracks.
 27. The circular weaving machine of claim 24, whereinthe circular continuous track is formed by a circular guide track in oron which at least one shuttle is guided.
 28. The circular weavingmachine of claim 27, wherein the guide track comprises multiplesub-tracks.
 29. The circular weaving machine of claim 24, wherein theshuttle(s) is/are each driven by a direct drive.
 30. The circularweaving machine of claim 24, wherein the shuttle(s) is/are each drivenby a rotatably mounted carrier.
 31. The circular weaving machine ofclaim 24, wherein the circular continuous track is formed by a rotatablymounted circular rotor (conveyor track) with which the at least oneshuttle may be conveyed.
 32. The circular weaving machine of claim 24,wherein an axis of rotation of the weft yarn bobbin is arranged in adirection of rotation of the at least one shuttle about a weaving axisor perpendicular to the weaving axis.
 33. The circular weaving machineof claim 24, wherein an axis of rotation of the warp yarn bobbin isarranged in a substantially parallel orientation to a weaving axis or ina substantially tangential orientation to the weaving axis.
 34. Thecircular weaving machine of claim 24, wherein the travel path of thewarp coil device with the warp yarn bobbin is designed in the form of acircular arc with a constant radius through the weaving plane.
 35. Thecircular weaving machine of claim 24, wherein the warp coil device withthe warp yarn bobbin is configured so that it is movable along a travelpath laterally of the weaving plane.
 36. The circular weaving machine ofclaim 24, wherein the warp coil device with the warp yarn bobbin ismovable by a positioning device and can be positioned in determinablealternating positions.
 37. The circular weaving machine of claim 36,wherein the positioning device comprises at least one movable bobbingripper and one stationary bobbin gripper or at least two movable bobbingrippers.
 38. The circular weaving machine of claim 36, wherein thepositioning device comprises a handling robot or is arranged on ahandling robot.
 39. The circular weaving machine of claim 36, whereinthe positioning device is arranged on a warp bobbin ring which isrotatably mounted about the weaving axis.
 40. The circular weavingmachine of claim 24, wherein the weft yarn bobbin can be arranged on anyshuttle by a handling robot.
 41. The circular weaving machine of claim24, wherein the weaving core is configured to be axially movable and/orrotatable.
 42. The circular weaving machine of claim 24, wherein theweaving core has a variable cross-sectional geometry and/or is of amulti-part design.
 43. A method for producing a hollow profile-likefabric, wherein the method comprises using the circular weaving machineof claim 24 for producing the fabric.